Gordon averse to planned creation of Department of Disaster Preparedness

ISABEL, LEYTE, Philippines – Senatorial candidate Richard Gordon said he believed that the proposed creation of the Department of Disaster Preparedness would be “another disaster.”

Gordon, also chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, said it would like the Metro Manila Development Authority which only make the traffic a disaster. “We have the anti-carnapping task force, marami pa ring carnapping,” he said, adding that the current national leadership has been “task force-oriented.”

He said that what is needed now “is a president who can coordinate everything. Why are we adding burden to our government? There is already the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. All they have to do is to meet regularly to coordinate.”

The proposed department will only come with the burden of additional personnel and more bureaucracy, while doing the same that the PRC does, but is voluntarily and without pay. “Bakit sa Red Cross, nagagawa naming. coordinated kami. Mga volunteers lang kami,” he said.

Gordon, who is running under Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero’s “May Galing at Puso” coalition of national candidates, however refused to speculate whether the end is near for Poe’s candidacy.

He said everybody should be allowed to run for president, “as long as they are qualified.” He clarified though that being qualified means having the hearts and minds to lead the country, not just because they are famous, rich, or their fathers and mothers have died.

Gordon was in this town to turnover post-Yolanda projects established by the PRC, in cooperation with the Netherlands and Canadian Red Cross, for 16 hard-hit barangays of the towns of Isabel and Merida. These consisted of shelters, livelihood programs, potable water supply, and schools, among others.

Mayors Greg Cerillo of Isabel and Jesus Antonio Martinez of Merida welcomed Gordon and company. In his speech at the town’s gym before a crowd wearing red t-shirts, Gordon said he did not come to campaign for his candidacy but to continue what he has been doing for the past 48 years in the PRC.

After turning over the projects to these towns and nearby Ormoc city, Gordon and PRC personnel headed to Northern Samar and other provinces ravaged by typhoon Nona.

“Noon, Yolanda, ngayon Nona na naman. I will continue to do what I have been doing as PRC chairman, and be there where our help is needed,” said Gordon, while appealing for help from local and international donors to help the victims of Nona. Shelter and assistance to fishermen and farmers are priorities, he added. (FREEMAN)